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7 ways to make witch hazel your new best friend

 
When you think of witch hazel, you probably think of that bottle of mysterious clear liquid tucked away in Mom’s medicine cabinet. Though it sounds like something out of a spooky Halloween movie, it’s actually a natural astringent made from a bright yellow flower with tons of everyday uses for your body. Whether you’re looking to soothe a sore throat or shrink your pores, this magic elixir is sure to do the trick.


Brighten eyes

If you have dark bags under your eyes from a bad night’s sleep, grab two cotton balls and soak them in witch hazel. Place one cotton ball beneath each eye (but not too close) and let them rest there for a few minutes until your eyes feel fresher and less puffy.


Heal bruises

If you’ve got a crazy multi-colored bruise, applying a little witch hazel could fade it a bit and help speed up the healing process. Soak a cotton pad or a piece of gauze in witch hazel and place it on your bruise for 10 to 15 minutes.


Prevent acne

This plant is naturally anti-bacterial, so applying it to your skin can help kill acne before it rears its ugly head. Just add a few drops to a cotton ball and wipe across acne prone areas after washing. Use once or twice a day for best results.


Reduce razor burn

If your skin gets red and itchy after shaving, try dabbing it with witch hazel. It will reduce inflammation, leaving your skin smooth. It also cleanses and stops bleeding if you nick yourself with your razor.


Shrink pores

Witch hazel is an astringent, which means that it causes your skin to tighten. If you swab your skin with a wipe or cotton ball soaked in witch hazel, you’ll feel it tingle as your pores disappear before your eyes.


Soothe a sore throat

When your throat is dry and hoarse, try gargling with witch hazel. Pour a bit into a small cup, gargle for a few seconds and spit it into the sink. Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties will lessen the soreness caused from swelling and dry up some of that icky mucus in the back of your throat.


Treat sunburn

After a day at the beach, try this remedy: Mix a few drops of witch hazel with aloe vera and spread over burned skin to reduce redness and cool the hot sensation. It will also keep your skin from peeling.

Have you ever used witch hazel? What's your go-to beauty solution? Let us know below!  

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by Samantha Max | 2/1/2016
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